Cotton crop estimated at 351 lakh bales in 2012-13 season: CAI

MUMBAI: The Cotton Association of India (CAI) today said it has placed the cotton crop for the season 2012-13 at 351 lakh bales as against 373.25 lakh bales in 2011-12.

CAI has placed the cotton crop for the season 2012-13 at 351 lakh bales, the association said after releasing its March estimates (as on March 31 2013) of the cotton crop for the season 2012-13.

The projected balance sheet drawn by the CAI for 2012-13 estimated the total cotton supply at 419.21 lakh bales, while the domestic consumption is estimated at 275 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 144.21 lakh bales, CAI President Dhiren Sheth said in a statement.

The cotton arrivals as on March 31 are placed at 294.25 lakh bales. The exports of cotton have virtually come to a standstill in 2012-13 as compared to 127 lakh bales exported in 2011-12, CAI said.

Commenting on state-wise cotton crop, CAI said, Gujarat is estimated to produce 85 lakh bales in 2012-13 as compared to 114 lakh bales in 2011-12.

Andhra Pradesh has surprised this year with estimated higher cotton crop of 74 lakh bales in 2012-13 as against 58 lakh bales in 2011-12. Maharashtra is lagging behind with 71.50 lakh bales in 2012-13 as compared to 72 lakh bales last year.